1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opiate
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of narcotic
Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Dykstra, 62, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing narcotics and narcotic-related equipment but was not taken into custody, trooper Kody Nowicki told The Athletic.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Gonzalo Solano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Mastrangelo was convicted in 2001 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics and was sentenced to 47 months in prison.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
The men were loose-brained now, dulled by aguardiente and whatever narcotic Grejo had shot into himself, but the morning sun might deliver a hard-nosed clarity, the kind that could get Adi killed.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Dykstra, 62, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing narcotics and narcotic-related equipment but was not taken into custody, trooper Kody Nowicki told The Athletic.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Ecuador is considered a logistical hub for drug trafficking, serving as a staging and distribution point for narcotics entering the country — primarily from Colombia, though shipments also arrive from Peru.
—Gonzalo Solano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Mastrangelo was convicted in 2001 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics and was sentenced to 47 months in prison.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
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Designed for both entertaining and relaxing, Contigo offers multiple indoor and outdoor lounge spaces across her decks.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Taking public transportation to work can be a relaxing and pleasant experience if the options are clean, reliable, and safe.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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See it in a theatre now, and let every majestic desert vista and hypnotic beat of Kangding Ray’s music (inexplicably overlooked for Best Original Score) burn itself into your memory.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Regardless of the reason, there are many viable options for testing for specific drugs at home, such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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The illicit love story between the money launderer and the fentanyl trafficker working together to shower New England with deadly opiates came crashing down under the weight of a multi-year federal investigation.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those selling the drugs are replacing them with a less lethal, but very strong tranquilizer, called medetomidine, which results in severe withdrawal symptoms.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In many areas, the sheer toxicity of street drugs and the presence of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer associated with severe skin wounds that can require amputation, has led many users to avoid syringes at all costs.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The brand’s signature ingredient—thermal spring water from the French town La Roche-Posay—is also present in the formula, bringing a soothing touch.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Some soothing music or a chill podcast could be the best companion for productivity.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One method that doctors use to help patients involves injections of anesthetic to the nerves that control pain, a procedure called a nerve block.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
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Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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No need to be under the weather to enjoy this warm and comforting soup.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
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Enter Atralia’s matcha latte, which is a comforting gourmand.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Micron has come a long way since its humble founding nearly half a century ago in the basement of a Boise dental office, where sedative gas wafted through the floorboards and an early executive used a hair dryer to keep the company’s logo from smearing off its chips.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
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This ancient beverage, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is typically consumed to produce sedative and euphoric effects that might increase sociability and reduce anxiety.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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